A N 

ACCOUNT 

OF THE 

CULTURE and USE 

OF THE 

MANGEL WURZEL, 

O R 

ROOT of SCARCITY. 

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH 

THE ABBE DE V COMM-E*?.EtL, 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER- OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 
OF ARTS AND* SCIENCES M.ETZ. 




Cv, • '' ** ■ 

L O N D O N : : ''^ W^^ 
Printed for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry; ; 
J. Phillips, ■ George- Yard, Lombard-iStreeJ. 

M.DCC.LXXXVII. 



ADVE RTISEMENT 



T N the midfummer of 1786, a few feeds 
were given me, faid to be thofe of a 
dietetic vegetable, known in France, under 
the name of the Racine de Bifette. As I 
was then ignorant of its Cultivation and 
qualities, I planted the feeds in light earth, 
which was then placed in my hot-houfe. 
They vegetated in about a week, and in the 
fpace of two months had acquired {talks of 
the thicknefs of a goofe-quill, when they 
were tranfplanted into the open air. 



Although 



( iv ) 

Although this was ' in September, they 
continued to increafe rapidly, and preferved 
their verdure throughout the winter* In 
this feafon I plucked off fome of the leaves, 
and had them boiled for the table ; they 
were of a fine green colour, lighter v than 
fpinach, and fomething like it in tafte, with 
a flavour fomewhat refembling that of afpa- 
ragus. 

At this period, I took up three roots, 
each about four ounces in weight, which, 
after boiling, eat very much like parfnips, 
and had the fame Ihape of the roots. 

So much I had experienced of the culti- 
vation and ufe of this vegetable, when the 
following account of it fell into my hands j 
a tranflation of which I immediately pro- 
cured, and now^ publifti, in order to diffufe 

the 



( v ) 

the knowledge of fo beneficial an article ot 
diet. 



Though this country does not fpontaneoufly 
produce any great variety of vegetables pro- 
per for the table, yet by the introduction of 
foreign products, and the arts of culture, it 
nourishes in its bofom, at this time, the great- 
eft and molt ufeful varieties of fruits, and 
other dietetic vegetables, in the world. I con- 
ceive, however, every additional article of 
nourifhment, efpecially like this almoft incre- 
dibly abundant, and at the fame time falu- 
tary both to the human and brute fpecies, 
muft, like the Potatoe which Raleigh brought 
from America, prove an interefting acqui- 
sition to the public. I calculate, from the 
product of my garden, that a fquare yard of 
ground, planted with the Mangel Wurzel, 
will yield fifty pounds in weight of falu- 
tary food$Xan abundance equalled by few, if 

any 



( jn ) 

any other plant hitherto cultivated in Eu^ 
rope. 

The lad v/inter was unufually mild ; dur- 
ing the whole of which, this vegetable re- 
tained its verdure, as has been already ob- 
ferved : and as it has never experienced any 
other winter here, I cannot determine what 
effect a fevere feafon might produce. I re- 
marked, that the new fhoots augmented by 
plucking the leaves of a preceding growth; 
and that even the ftalks that fhot into flower 
in June 1787, and were accidentally broken 
off, were replaced by frefli ftalks and flowers 
in the fucceeding month; lefs ftrong, in- 
deed, but more numerous. 

As I have lately procured fome feeds 
from the continent, I fhall pay further at- 
tention to the cultivation of this vegetable; 

and 



( vii ) 

and hope to add its botanical hiftory, and 
an accurate engraving of it, coloured from 
nature, 

JOHN COAKLEY LETTSOM 



INTRO 



INTRODUCTION 



AS I am fully convinced, that a great 
population is the fureft indication of 
the happinefs of a nation, and the moil cer- 
tain prefage of its glory ; and as I alfo know, 
that population cannot be advanced, or even 
continued in its prefent ftate, but in thofe 
countries in which the neceflaries of life are to 
be obtained in plenty; I have thought it my 
duty to make a root generally known, which, 
in years of fcarcity, will afford to men an 
healthful and agreeable food; which, when 
forage is fcarce or dear, will furnifh cattle, 
as well during the fummer as the winter, 
with a cheap and abundant nourifhment ; 
which, at all times, and in all countries, 
may be certainly produced in great quanti- 
ties and of which the cultivation is fimple, 
and the crop gathered in with little trouble, 
and which is eafily preferved, 

B The 



( 2 ) 

The root, of which I have undertaken to 
give an account, is not known in France, or 
at lead very little. It has no proper name 
in French, and I have not been able to find 
a defcription of it in any botanical work. 
In Germany, where the greater! advantages 
have been derived from it, it is called Dick 
Ruben, (the Great Turnip); DicklVurzel, (the 
Great Root) and Mangel Wurzel, (the Root 
of Scarcity). I have made ufe of the lafl: 
denomination, the Root of Scarcity, becaufe it is 
a literal tranflation of the name often given to 
it by the Germans, and becaufe it is expreflive 
of the properties of the plant which it de- 
notes. It might, indeed, be called the Root 
cf Abundance, which would be no great devia- 
tion from the German name, and which 
would be expreffive of one of the principal 
properties of this plant j which is, conftantly 
to thrive, and to produce a very great crop, 
even when other kinds of roots and vege- 
tables fail, and when there is a general fear- 
city of forage. 

This root ought not to be put into the 
clafs of turnips, nor into that of carrots ; and 

although 



( 3 ) 

although by its external appearance, and its 
feed, it very much refembles the beet-root; 
it is fuperior to it in every refpec% and ap- 
pears to. form a diftinft fpecies.* Its culture 
B .1 is 

* I fhall here urge fome reafons, which appear to 
amount to certain proof, that the Root of Scarcity- 
ought riot to be confounded with the red beet root, nor 
with any kind of beets. If they do not ftrip off the 
leaves of the Root of Scarcity, it does not grow to any 
great fize, or at leaft never arrives to the aftonifliing 
bulk in which we fee it otherwife appear. If, on the 
contrary, they often ftrip oiF the leaves of the red beet, 
it hardly thrives any more, it is enervated, its vegeta- 
tion becomes languishing, and its root hardens ; and 
befides, it fcarcely ever happens, that the leaves of 
the red beet have the fame tafte with thofe of the Root 
of Scarcity, or grow with the fame rapidity, or attain 
to the fame length. 

As to the white beet, this cannot be compared with 
the Root of Scarcity ; its leaves are curled, and have a 
very earthy tafte ; its root is fmall, ill Ihaped, forked, 
hard as a horn, and ufelefs. 

If the Root of Scarcity were the fame as the red beet, 
would the farmer fow fo diftinclly both the one and the 
other ? Thefe two roots are equally known and culti- 
vated in all the provinces of Germany ; but the pro- 
duce 



( 4 ) 

is fo eafy, its advantages fo numerous, and 
it will anfwer fo completely the purpofes of 

any 

duce and the ufe of one being very different from thofe 
of the other, they only cultivate the Root of Scarcity in 
large quantities. 

The red beet, in all the provinces of Germany, has 
a diftincl: name, and is called Rothe Ruben ; and they 
never give that name to the Root of Scarcity* 

But it is of little confequence to what particular clafs 
of roots this belongs, whether to that of beets, or to 
any other; that which is effential and incontestable is, 
that it unites in itfelf all the advantages which I attri- 
bute to it. I do not pretend to the merit of any in- 
vention, or to have communicated any new difcovery ; 
I have no other defign than to make known to the 
public my experiments and obfervations. If - the 
root, concerning which I treat, is known in fome 
parts of the kingdom, which is very poflible, the people 
muft be ignorant of the manner of cultivating it, and 
of its , advantages, fince it is not fo multiplied as it 
ought >to*be. 

It is undoubtedly by miftake, that fome perfons have 
given the name of turnips to the Root of Scarcity. 
Monf. Buchoz himfelf, in his work, entitled An Eco- 
nomical Manual concerning Plants, has confounded thefe 

two 



C s ) 

any other forage, that it feems to me to de- 
ferve to be adopted every where, and to have 
the preference, even in the bcft years, over 
all other roots with which beads are nourifli- 
ed. It may be planted in open fields, and 
in lanes it will fucceed in all lands, and 
efpecially in thofe that are moift and light. 
If in hard and clayey grounds it is prevented 
from making its way far into the earth, it will 
extend itfelf horizontally, and will produce 
above the furface that which the nature of the 
foil hinders from being produced beneath it e 

This mo ft valuable root is not affected by 
the viciffitude of the feafons, and has no de- 
structive enemy ; the infects and vermin, 
which make ravages on all other kinds of 
B 3 vegetables, 

two roots; fince he fays, that the leaves of Englifn. 
turnips refemble thofe of red beet, which is not true ; 
for the Englilh turnips are in reality only a fpecies of 
turnips larger than others, of which the rough and 
deeply cut foliage is exactly like that of all others, and 
they are cultivated nearly in the fame manner. Mr. 
Buchoz, therefore, has been deceived by a miflaken 
name ; and what he has faid relative to the cultivation 
of turnips, applies only to that of the Root of Scarcity. 



( 6 ) 

vegetables, neither touch nor injure it. It is 
not attacked by blading or mildew, and the 
greater!: drought does not affect its vegeta- 
tion ; it does not injure the foil that nou- 
rifhes it ; but prepares it to receive, be- 
fore the winter, the corn and other feeds 
which may be intended to be depofited 
in it. 

In order to induce perfons to engage in 
the cultivation of a root fo valuable, and to 
caufe it to fucceed in all hands, I fhall point 
out the time and the manner of fowing, 
tranfplanting, and cultivating it, and of ga- 
thering in the leaves ; which fucceed each 
other, without ceafing, in the greater!: abun- 
dance, and which are highly ufeful, efpecially 
for horned cattle. 1 fhall treat of the crop of 
roots, of the manner of preferving them, and 
of the method and time of re-planting them 
in order to obtain feed. I fhall afterwards (hew 
in what manner the roots are to be prepared 
for nourifhing and fattening large cattle, 
and even for rearing young calves, that the 
owners are defirous of weaning foon after 

their 



( 7 ) 



their being calved. I fhall fpeak afterwards 
of the other advantages with which this root 
is attended. Laftlv, I fhall make fome 
other obfervations relative to different fub- 
jecls of agriculture, of the value and utility 
of which I have been convinced by expe- 
rience. 




B 4 



A W 



A M 

ACCOUNT 

OP THE 

ROOT OF SCARCITY, &c. 

Section I. 

fhe Time and Manner of [owing the Seed of the 
Root of Scarcity. 

TH E feed of the Root of Scarcity may 
be fown as foon as the weather will 
permit the earth to be cultivated, from the 
end of February to the middle of April. 
This feed is fown in the fame manner as that 
of other roots that are tranfplanted ; that is, 
either at random, or in lines, at the diftance 
of five inches from each other : they cover 
it with at leaft an inch of good earth. It is 
neceffary that it mould be fomewhat thinly 
fown, becaufe the root is large, becaufe it 
will be eafier to clear away the weeds, and 
becaufe the plants will be finer and more vi- 
gorous. This feed is commonly fown in a 
garden, or in a piece of good land, well pre- 
pared. 

§ II. The 



( io ) 



§ II. 

$he Method of preparing the Earth into which 
the Roots are to be tranjplanted. 

When the feed has been fown, the field 
muft be prepared into which the roots are 
to be tranfplanted. It is with thefe roots 
as with all other plants, the more the 
earth is manured, the more thoroughly it 
is ploughed and prepared, the finer and 
larger they become ; and the crop of leaves 
is proportionally increafed and multiplied. 
In a middling kind of land the roots pro- 
duced do not weigh more than four or five 
pounds, and they do not produce leaves 
above four or five times in a good foil they 
weigh from nine to ten pounds, and put 
forth frefh leaves eight or nine times. 

In 1784, I planted fome, by way of ex- 
periment, in a very middling foil, and the 
fineft did not weigh more than five pounds. 
In 1785, I caufed them to be planted in a 
good corn field, but the land of which was 

clofc 



( II ) 

clofe and hard, and in which they made their 
way into the earth with fome difficulty : they 
weighed, however, from feven to ten pounds. 
In a light, fandy, and rich foil, they grew 
ftill larger: fome of them weighed four-' 
teen, and even fixteen pounds. 

OBSERVATION. 

Although the moft favourable feafon, for 
fowing the feed of the Root of Scarcity, is 
from the month of February to the middle 
of April, it is neverthelefs advantageous to 
fow fome every month, even till June; as by 
that means there will always be plants fit 
for tranfplanting : and wherever there is a 
void place, either in gardens, or in fields, 
there they may be planted. In 1784, the 
fly having four times deftroyed the turnips 
that I had fown, I fupplied their place with 
Roots of Scarcity; it was in the month of 
Auguft, and I neverthelefs gathered the 
leaves three times, and the roots weighed 
from three to four pounds. In hemp fields, 
after the crop of hemp has been gathered in, 

the 



( 12 ) 

the Roots of Scarcity may then be planted ; 
and this fecond produce, although of a very 
different nature from the firft, will notwith- 
flanding anfvver very well. 

§ HI. 

The Time and Manner of transplanting tht Root 
of Scarcity* 

Towards the beginning of the month of 
May, the land being well broken up by the 
fpade, or by the plough, and well prepared and 
levelled by the rake or the harrow, it is then 
proper to take a view of the plantation. If 
the roots are five or fix inches in length, and 
if they are as large as a flrong goofe quill, 
they may be drawn out of the earth. None 
of their fibres fhould be cut off, but the 
leaves fhould be cut clofe at top, as is done 
with endive. Taking afterwards a plant- 
ing-flick, make in the earth holes, from 
four inches and a half to five inches deep : 
thefe holes fhould be made in a right line, 
and chequer-wife, at the diilance of eigh- 
teen 



( »3 ) 

teen inches from each other. A root fhould 
be put in every hole, placed in fuch a 
manner, that the tops may be feen a little 
way out of the earth. This is an eafy pre- 
caution, but very erTential, and without 
which they will never fucceed well , thefe 
plants take root in twenty-four hours 3 and 
a man, who is a little accuilomed to it 3 may 
plant 1S00 or 2000 in a day. * 

§ IV. The 

* Many perfons having found it difficult to procure 
feeds of the Root of Scarcity, from one end of the 
kingdom to the other, they have folicited me to render 
it eafy to get them at Paris for the following year. I 
have been happy enough to prevail on M. de la Planche, 
a refpectable apothecary, in the Rue du Route, at Paris, 
to furnilh his mop with a quantity of them, which I 
have procured for him. He fells them at four litres a 
pound ; the prodigious quantity of thefe feeds that have 
been called for, having rendered them fcarce and dear. 

Thofe perfons, who are defirous of having any for 
the following year, are requefted to write to M. de la 
Planche in the month of November, in order to deter- 
mine what quantity it will be neceffary to provide. It 
is only towards that time that the price can be fixed* 
which varies according to the nature of the harveft. 
Perfons fending orders are requefted to fend their ad- 

drefs j 



( H ) 



% IV. 

The Firfi Crop of heaves, and Method of cul- 
tivating the Root. 

At the end of June, or in the firft days of 
July, when the outward leaves are become 
about a foot long, the firft crop of leaves is 
to be gathered, breaking them off round and 
near the root. For this purpofe, the thumb 
fhould be placed within, and at the origin of 

drefs ; and it is alfo. defired, that their letters be poft- 
paid, and that they remit half the price of the feeds 
ordered, at the rate of four liqjres per pound. The 
other half is to be paid, on receiving the feeds ordered, 
in January, 1787. The feeds will be fent in that 
month, agreeably to the addrefs communicated, and by 
the mode of conveyance that mall be directed. 

Thofe perfons, to whom, from their fituation, it may 
be more convenient to apply to me to procure them 
thefe feeds, may fend to me the fame previous notice, 
and may depend upon receiving them at the fame time. 
It is defired that, in both cafes, the letters and the 
money may be fent free of expence. 

the 



( i5 ) 

the leaves, in order to ftrip them off, clofe to 
their infertion into the Item. Thofe leaves only 
fhould be gathered which bend towards the 
earth, and care mould always be taken to 
leave thofe of the heart of the plant : they will 
thereby be re-produced, and grow more 
quickly. Immediately after this firft crop, 
the ground fhould be turned up once or twice 
with the mattock of the roots. In digging 
the earth this fecond time, the root fhould 
be raifed high with a wooden fpade, and the 
furface of the earth mould be turned up 
afrefh, fo that every root Ihould be cleared 
for an inch and a half, or two inches : they 
will then appear as if they were planted in a 
fmall bafon, of nine or ten inches in diame- 
ter. Even a child might eafily perform this 
operation. In light lands, it will be fuf- 
ficient to clear away the weeds, and to dig 
up the earth with the fpade. After this fe- 
cond operation, which is a very eflential one, 
nothing more is neceffary but to gather in 
the crop. It is from this moment that the 
roots begin to grow large, and to increafe in 
an aftonifhing manners and it is not advan- 
tageous to them to have other encroaching 

vegetables 



( i6 ) 

vegetables for their neighbours : for both air 
and room are neceffary, in order to give full 
efFed to their inconceivable power of vege- 
tation. 

§ v. 

The Produce of Leaves. 

In a good land, the leaves may be plucked 
off thefe roots every twelve or fifteen days, 
I have remarked, more than once, that, in 
the fpace of twenty-four hours, their leaves 
increafe from 25 to 30 lines in length, and 
from 18 to 20 in breadth; and alfo, that at 
the fecond crop, they have been from 28 to 
•30 inches in length, and from 20 to 22 in 
breadth. This account will appear exagge- 
rated, till experience ftiall have demonftrated 
its truth. 



§ VI. Their 



( i7 ) 



§ VI. 

Their Ufe for Cattle. _ 

Oxen, cows, and fheep, readily eat thefe 
leaves, they nourifti them, and they are even 
fattened by them. They are given to them 
entire, as they come from the field. Poultry 
will eat them, when cut fmall, and mixed 
with bran. Even horfes will like thefe leaves 
very well, and may be fed with them during 
the winter. Nothing more is necelfary for 
this purpofe, but to cut them fmall, with 
fuch an inftrument as I fhall defcribe, when I 
come to fpeak more particularly of the roots. 
Hogs will eat thefe leaves very willingly. 



MATERIAL OBSERVATIONS. 

After repeated experiments, well eftablifh- 
ed, and made under my own eyes, I may 
venture to affert, that milch cows, and which 
it is intended to continue as fuch, may, with- 
C out 



( 18 ) 

out the lead inconvenience, eat of thefe 
leaves, for their whole nourishment, during 
eight, and even to fifteen following days. 
From the very fir ft days, they will give a 
greater quantity of milk, and cream of the 
very beft quality : but if they mould be con- 
tinued to.be fed with this forage only, it 
would foon be apparent, that they fattened 
at a furprizing rate; in a fhort time the milk 
will diminifh, and the fubftance turn entirely 
to fat. Thefe leaves produce the fame effect 
on fheep and oxen ; from whence a judgment 
may be formed of the great facility, with 
which they may be fattened, by this fpecies 
of nourifiiment alone. 

In order to keep milch cows in fuch a 
manner, as to caufe them to continue to 
produce their full quantity of milk, it is ne- 
ceftary to mix with thefe leaves, from time 
to time, a third or a fourth part of that kind 
of grafs or herbage, with which they have 
been generally nourifhed. This grafs, or 
herbage, may be given to them once every 
day ; or one day in three they may be fed 
with it entirely. By this fimple method only, 

the 



( 19 ) 

the cows will always be rendered aflonifh- 
ingly productive, and their milk will be ex- 
cellent. Thefe obfervations refer only to 
thofe cows, who are conflantly fed in flails. 

When there is an appearance of rain, or 
bad weather, a fufficient quantity of the 
leaves fhould be provided for two or three 
days; but it is neceffary to turn up the heap 
into which they are formed, in order to pre- 
vent their being too warm. The repeated 
crops of thefe leaves do not give more 
trouble, than any other kinds of green fo- 
rage, which it is neceffary to mow, to reap, 
or to gather in fields or meadows, and which 
muft equally be collected together, and con- 
veyed into barns or ftables. If there be any 
difference, it is in favour of the leaves of the 
Root of Scarcity ; which a child may break 
off and gather, while it is neceffary that men 
fnould be employed in mowing other kinds 
of forage. 

When a quantity of this root is planted, 
proportioned to the number of cattle which 
are to be fed or fattened, we may be certain 

C 2 Of 



( 20 ) 

of being able to furnifh them with leaves 
enough for the time they will be wanted, 
even clrdng the greateil and the longed 
droughts in ihort, to the very time in 
which they may begin to eat the roots. I 
have endeavoured to reduce the leaves of the 
Root of Scarcity to dry forage, and I have 
fucceeded; but I would not advife any per- 
fon to repeat the experiments that I have 
made for this purpofe. The trouble of col- 
lecting and preparing them for dry forage, 
and the little advantage that they were pro- 
ductive of in this way, caufed me to re- 
nounce the defign of making this ufe of them. 
Thefe foft and tender leaves are withered by 
the heat of the fun ; it requires much time to 
dry them out of it ; the lean: rain, even the 
dew itfelf, rots and reduces them to nothing; 
they difappear, as if they had been in an 
oven. The only method of fucceeding then 
is, to pafs a thread through the middle of 
every leaf, and to hang them to dry in the 
air; but a cow would eat as many of thefe 
dried leaves in one day, as would nourifh it 
for eight when they were green. This ope- 
ration is alfo too long, too troublefome, and 

too 



( 21 ) 

too expenfive, for the inhabitants of the 
country : but the great utility of the root 
itfelf will more than counterbalance this dif- 
ficulty. 

§ VII. 

The life of the Leaves for Men. 

The leaves of this root will alfo afford to 
men an wholefome and agreeable food ; they 
have not an earthy tafte, like beets ; their 
tafte refembles that of the Cardon d'Efpagne, 
and they may be eaten in the fame manner. 
They may be dreffed in different ways - } they 
are considered as a kind of fpinage, and are 
preferred to it by many perfons ; they may 
be eaten from the fpring to the month of 
November; by their continual re-production, 
and great abundance, they are highly ufeful 
to farmers, to country people, and in all 
houfes in which there are many fervants. 
The roots, when dreffed, they may eat them- 
felves in the winter •> and they may be dreffed 
many ways. The Root of Scarcity is a very 
C 3 good 



( 22 ) 

good root, of an agreeable tafte, much fu- 
perior to the red beet, and at leaft equal 
to the turnip. The leaves which the roots, 
when kept in a cellar, produce during the 
winter, are very tender, and extremely deli- 
cate in fide dimes. 

§ VIII. 

Crop of the Roots, 

The commencement of fiiarp frofts deter- 
mines the time for the crop of roots : in 
1785, I began on the 14th of November; in 
1784, I had been obliged to do it on the 
15th of October. A fine day mud be chofen 
for gathering in this very valuable crop, 
though at the hazard of doing it many days 
before it is neceffary : it is important to the 
prefervation of this root, that it mould be 
kept perfectly dry. The day being fixed, 
thefe roots mould be gathered in the morn- 
ing, and left upon the place whereon they 
grew, that they may be dried by the air and 
by the fun, Children may follow thofe who 

reap 



( n ) 

reap the roots, and may clofely cut off all 
the leaves. This operation may be per- 
formed the evening before, or even fome 
days before the harveft. In the evening all 
the roots fhould be collected together if 
they have been well aired, they may be put 
under cover in a cellar, or in any other dry 
place, where they are not in danger of being 
hurt by the froft if there is no reafon to be 
apprehenfive of rain, they may be left in the 
field in which they were gathered during the 
night, and removed the next day to the place 
in which they are to be depofited. If the 
weather will permit them to be left in the air 
two or three days, it will be advantageous to 
them. They fhould not be handled roughly, 
either in removing them, or in difcharging 
them into the cellar, or other place where they 
are to be kept j for as they have a very thin 
rind, they are eafily bruifed, and then they 
do not keep fo well. 



§ IX. Of 



( *4 ) 



§ IX. 

Of the Choice of thofe Roots which fhould be 
preferved for -producing Seed. 

The time of gathering in the crop is the 
feafon for choofing thofe roots which are 
proper for producing feed. Thofe which are 
only fit for this purpofe, are thofe which have 
attained to. a middling fize, which are fmooth, 
even, of a rofe colour without, and white 
within fide, or marbled with red and white : 
fuch are the marks which diftinguifh thofe 
which it is proper to preferve and cultivate. 
Thofe which are all white, or ail red, are 
either degenerated, or are true beets, of 
which the feed, by the neglect of the culti- 
vators, has been mixed with that of the Root 
of Scarcity. The , roots, which are intended 
for the production of feed, fhould be kept 
feparately from the others, in a place where 
they are fecured from dampnefs and from 
froft. 



§ X. <The 



( 2S ) 



The Time and Manner of re-planting thofe Roots % 
which are intended to produce Seed. 

At the beginning of April, thofe roots 
ought to be put into the ground which are 
intended for feed ; they fhouid be placed at 
the diftance of three feet from each other - 9 
as their italics are from five to fix feet in 
length, it is neceffary to give them fences of 
feven feet in height, funk a foot and a half 
into the earth; thefe fences mould be 'inter- 
woven with fmall twigs, and fhouid form a 
kind of hedge-row. Againft this hedge-row 
the ftalks fhouid be . tied, in proportion as 
they extend in length, that they may not be 
broken by the wind. 

§ XI. 

The Crop of Seed, and Manner of preferving it. 

This feed commonly ripens towards the 
end of October j it Ihould be gathered im- 
mediately 



( 26 ) 

mediately after the flrft white frofts appear ; 
then the ftalk ihould be cur, and, if the 
weather will permit, they (hould be raifed 
up againft a wall, or palifade ; if the weather 
be bad, they may be tied together in hand- 
fuls, and hung up under fhelter in an airy 
place, till they are well dried. The feed 
may be then taken, and preferved by being 
put into bags, as is done by other garden 
feeds. 

Every root, when tranfplanted, may pro- 
duce from ten to twelve ounces of feed. 

§ XII. 

tfhe Manner of preventing the Roots from de- 
generating. 

The feed of the Root of Scarcity degene- 
rates, like. all others, if care be not taken to 
change the foil every year, or at leaft every 
two years ; that is to fay, to fow in a firm 
foil that which has been produced in a light 
and fandy foil, and in a light foil that which 

has 



( 27 ) 

has been produced in a firm and bard ground. 
Thus the cultivators of thefe two kinds of 
land, by every year changing their feeds, will 
afford to each a reciprocal benefit. This 
feed may be preferved in its full perfection for 
three or four years. 



§ XIII. 

*The Means of preferving thefe Roots from the 
Month of November to the End of June. 

If the flock of roots be considerable, and 
if they cannot be depofited in the houfe, it 
is neceffary, many days before the crop, to 
caufe ditches, or trenches, to be dug in the 
fame field, or in fome other place, which 
during the winter may be fecured from rain; 
after having left the infide of thefe ditches 
to dry, during eight or ten days, you may 
put a little ftraw at the bottom, and at the 
fides you may then place your roots, one 
by one, in thefe ditches, handling them 
gently, and taking the precaution of clearing 
them from all the earth which furrounds 

them. 



( 28 ) 

them. You are then to cover the laft roots 
with flraw, and to throw upon that ftraw 
three feet of that earth which has been dug 
out of the ditches. You fhould beat this 
earth well, and form it into fuch a fhape, 
with (helving fides, that the water may run 
from it the more eafily. 

I XIV. 

<Tbe Dimenfions of the Ditches, or Trenches. 

The dimenfions of thefe ditches fhould be 
proportioned to the height of the ground, or 
to its declivity. They may be made from 
two to four feet in depth; their length is 
indifferent, and depends upon the quantity 
of roots to be depofited in them; their 
breadth is generally about three feet and a 
half. 

As thefe roots have the very beneficial pro- 
perty of keeping without alteration to the 
month of June, it will be advantageous to 
multiply the ditches, and to make one for 

every 



( 2 9 ) 

every month's confumption, beginning with 
the month of March, that being the time 
about which there is generally an end to the 
ftores of provifion collected from winter con- 
fumption. I recommend multiplying the 
ditches, becaufe that thefe roots, when they 
are expofed to much air, after having been 
long deprived of it, will not keep for a long 
time frefh : and this inconvenience may be 
prevented by multiplying the number of 
ditches. 

§ XV. 

The Necejfity and Manner of making a Vent. 

It is abfolutely neceffary that every ditch 
mould have a vent, by which the fermenta- 
tion of the roots may be exhaled : without 
this precaution, all that you attempt to pre- 
ferve under-ground, will be rotted or fpoiled. 
I will point out the manner in which this 
vent Ihould be made. Before any thing is 
put into the ditch, you mould fet up in the 
middle of it a fmall pole, of fix or feven 

feet 



( 30 ) 

feet in length, and two inches in diameter; 
then place your roots in the ditch, and dif- 
pofe them in fuch a manner as to make a 
floping heap, raifed in the middle, with 
fhelving fides •> when the ditch is full, and 
the roots are raifed in the middle, half a foot 
above the level of the earth, you fhould twift 
round the pole a rope of hay of about an inch 
in thicknefs, taking the precaution not to 
bind it too hard ; you fhould then throw the 
earth over it, placing it, and beating it down, 
in the manner that has been before men- 
tioned. When the ditch is well covered in, 
and finifhed in the form of a coffin, you may 
then pull out the pole, the hay will remain 
in the hole, and the exhalations, which the 
roots throw out in fermentation, will evapo- 
rate through that pafTage. At the end of a 
few days, you. fhould cover this hole with a 
bit of hollow tile, and when the fevere frofts 
come, you ihould flop it up with a flat 
Hone. 



§ XVI. The 



( 3i ) 



§ XVI. 

tfhe Manner of preparing the Roots for the 
Nourijhment of Cattle, 

In order to caufe thefe roots to be eaten 
by all kinds of cattle, it is neceffary to cut 
them into fmall pieces, after having well 
warned and cleaned them. We employ for 
this purpofe a fharp inftrument, made of a 
blade of iron a foot long, and two inches 
broad, and twifted into the form of an S ; in 
the middle of the two branches of the S is 
lbldered a focket of about two inches lono-- 
in this focket is fixed a wooden handle 
of about three feet fix inches in length: 
with this inftrument, which, at firft view, 
appears intended to imprint the letter S 
upon any body, they cut thefe roots with 
as much regularity as facility. This ope- 
ration is performed in a tub or trough 
intended only for this purpofe. A man 
may in one hour's time cut into fmall 

pieces 



C 3* ) 

pieces a quantity of roots, fufficient for the 
nonrifhment of twelve oxen for a day. Be- 
fore the roots are-cafl into the trough, it is 
necefiary to fplit them, and cut them into 
quarters. It is advantageous to mince thefe 
roots into fmall pieces, of the fize of -a A nut. 
I have remarked, that when this is done, 
cattle thrive better with them. 

§ XVII. 

For Horned Cattle. 

Prepared in this manner, thefe roots may 
be given, without any mixture, to any horned 
cattle, and to fheep, efpecially to thofe that 
are to be fattened; but if it be neceffary to 
hufband the roots, there may be mixed with 
them a quart or more of hay and of chopt 
ftraw ; it is even advantageous to obferve 
this method, during the three or four firft 
weeks, with the lean cattle that are intended 
to be fattened : the hay of trefoil, of lucerne, 
and fainfoin, &c. is the beft for this pur- 
pofe. 

Thofe 



( 33 ) 

Thofe perfons who have, or who will pro- 
cure, an inftrument for cutting dry fodder, 
fimilar to that which is fuccefsfully and ad- 
vantageoufly made ufe of in Germany, will 
fave much time, and wafte lefs of their pro- 
vifions. 

§ XVIII. 

For Horfes. 

During* all the winter horfes may be fed 
with this root, adding, however, half flraw 
and hay, cut and mixed together. Being 
thus fed, they will become fat, flrong, and 
fleek 5 but when they are hard worked, it 
will be necefiary to add from time to time a 
few oats. This is the practice in thofe pro- 
vinces of Germany, in which this root almoffc 
fupplies the place of meadows, and of which 
the breed of horfes is well known, and 
eileemed. 

Hogs will alfo readily eat thefe roots when 
cut fmall, raw, and mixed with the fat or 

D milky 



( 34 ) 

milky drink, which is generally given them. 
They will become as fat by eating thefe 
roots, as other fwine will by different kinds 
of food, which are obtained with more ex- 
penfe and trouble. 



§ XIX. 

Of the Quantity of thefe Roots to be given to 
different Kinds of Cattle. 

The quantity of thefe roots, that mould 
be given in a day to eat to different kinds of 
beafls, mould be regulated by that of the 
dry fodder that is given them, and which, J 
indeed, ought always to be added (for it 
is neceiTary every day to give them a little jj 
before they are made to drink); and this* 
quantity ought alfo to be proportioned tol 
the fize and condition of the beafls. Regard 
is alfo to be had to the views of the owner! 
reflecting the beads : thofe that are fed in 
order to be kept, mould eat lefs than thofe 
which are intended to be fattened for fall. 
As the fize of thefe roots is different, ac- 
cording 



( 35 ) 

cording to the goodnefs of the foil which 
produces them, we cannot fix the quantity 
by the number of roots, nor can we afcertain 
the quantity to be given to every bead by 
weighing the roots j many perfons would 
neither have time nor conveniences for 
weighing them - } and T in all content myfelf 
with relating the following facts, which will 
throw upon this fubject ail the light of which 
it is fufceptible. 

In the month of May, 1785, I planted fix- 
> teen thoufand and fome hundreds of thefe 
(roots, in a field containing two acres and 
Ian eighth, Heidelburgh meafure : this mea- 
sure is the fame, as I am allured, as that of 
terrain ; the acre containing 250 roods, 
the rood ten feet, and the foot ten royal 
aiches. From the beginning of July, till 
the 15 th of November, feven cows and three 
calves were ccnftantly fed from the produce 
of the leaves, mixed with a third or fourth 
of other herbage, as I have before mentioned; 
and from the 20th of November they eat the 
roots cut fmall, in the manner that I have 
already pointed out. The cows had two 
D 2 meals 



( 36 ) 

meals a day, each confiding of fixteen or 
eighteen pounds of roots, mixed with four 
pounds of chopt draw or hay : with this nou- 
rifhment their, milk was as good, and as 
plentiful as it had ever been, and rhey were 
in the bed condition pofiible. 

• § XX. 

Hhe Method of Fattening Oxen. 

I fattened four very lean oxen ; and gave 
at firft to each, twice a day, twenty pounds 
of thefe roots, mixed with five pounds of 
after grafs, or of chopl* hay. At the ex^ 
piration of a month, in confequence of in? 
druclion that I had received from an in- 
telligent and obferving farmer, I caufed 
their chopt hay to be omitted, and fubfti- 
tuted five pounds of roots in its room. 
Thus they lived, for two months, upon roots 
only \ and at the end of three months, 
they were fufnciently fat for faie. They 
always readily devoured this food, becaufe it 
is well- tailed, tender, and requires no pre- 
paration. 



( 37 ) 

paration. I have remarked, that it is ad- 
vantageous to give to oxen, as well as to 
cows, their day's allowance, at two or three 
times; they will thereby fatten fooner, and 
there will be nothing fpoiled or loft, as often 
happens, when their day's allowance is given 
to them all at once. 

From this recital, which is exact and faith- 
ful, it will be eafy to conclude what quantity 
of roots are neceffary for nourifhing a cow, 
and fattening an ox ; how much an acre of 
land may produce, when the roots are planted 
at eighteen inches diftance, agreeably to what 
I have already faid ; and how many oxen may 
be fattened, or cows kept, with the produce 
of an acre. 

Four months are commonly requifite for 
fattening an ox, with the provifions that it is 
ufual to make them eat. Now thefe roots will 
keep eight months in the year; and the leaves, 
which anfwer the fame purpofe, will furnilh. 
nourishment for the four other 'months ; the 
cattle then to be fattened with thefe roots 
may be renewed three times in the year ; or 
D 3 thofe 



( 33 ) 

thofe whom it is propofed to keep, may be 
fed conftantly with them, during the whole 
courfe of the year. 



§ XXI. 

The nett Produce of an Acre of Land, Lor- 
rain Meafure. 

In order to fave cultivators fome trouble, 
in calculating what quantity of roots may be 
produced in an acre of land, Lorrain mea- 
fure, which is nearly equal to half an acre 
of France, I will ft a re here the method of 
proceeding in that calculation, and of (hew- 
ing the refult. The acre of land contains 
250 fquare roods, the rood contains ten feet, 
and the foot ten royal inches : the arpent then 
comprehends 2,500,000 fquare inches of fur- 
face ; but every fquare of 18 inches contains 
(multiplying 18 by' 18) 324 fquare inches; 
and thus, in dividing 2,500,000, by the 
number of fquare inches neceffary to every 
root, it will be found, that 7,716 roots may 
be planted in an acre of Lorrain, placing 

them 



( 39 ) 

tliem at 1 8 inches diftance : there remains, 
indeed, a fraction in this calculation ; but 
this may be difregarded. 

As to the weight of the roots, as that de- 
pends upon the goodnefs and nature of the 
foil wherein they are planted, it muft con- 
fequently depend upon the choice made of 
the land. But it may here be obierved, that 
if the land be but middling, and little dung- 
ed, thefe roots may be planted a foot, or 
fifteen inches diflance from each other but, 
in a good foil, eighteen inches mould always 
be allowed. 

Many of the inhabitants of Puttelange, 
and all the farmers who have imitated me, 
have fucceeded as I have done ; but thofe 
who have not conformed to my directions 
relative to the plantation and culture, thofe 
who have funk their plants too deeply into 
the earth, thofe who have fee them too 
near to each other, or who have mixed 
them with other kinds of roots, and who 
have not attended properly to their cul- 
tivation, have not fucceeded : they would 
D 4 undoubtedly 



C 40 ) 

undoubtedly have attributed to the nature of 
the root, and to the foil, that want of fuccefs 
which was the effect of their negligence, if 
many of their neighbours had not fucceeded. 

If in every province fome perfon could be 
found fufficiently benevolent to fow a large 
quantity of the feed of the Root of Scarcity, 
and to diftribute the plants to all thofe who 
fhould be defirous of cultivating them 3 if 
fome one fhould alfo condefcend to teach, 
at the fame time, the methods of planting, cul- 
tivating, and ufing them, he would certainly 
render a very important fervice to the inhabi- 
tants of the country, to thofe who cannot de- 
rive information from the Memoirs which 
are publifhed by government, or by the 
learned ; becaufe they are neither acquainted 
with them, nor underftand them-, and are 
ignorant even of the exiftence of thofe perio- 
dical publications, which frequently announce 
ufeful difcoveries, and intereiling inventions. 
The inhabitants of the country continue in a 
ftate of ignorance, only becaufe pains is not 
taken to communicate inftructicn to them ; 

they 



( 4i ) 

they live in a ftate of apathy, only becaufe 
the proper meafures are not adopted for 
awakening their induftry, and exciting their 
ardour. 

The keeping a cow will greatly con- 
tribute to the felicity of the family of 
the labourer and the mechanic, &c. He 
who has not hitherto been able to do 
this, becaufe he has not been able to feed 
one, may eafily in future enjoy this advan- 
tage ; let him rent but a little fpot of 
ground^ and there cultivate the Root of 
Scarcity, and he may keep his cow - s and 
the milk which ihe wall produce, in lefs than 
a month, will pay the rent of his ground. 
The peafant, who has hitherto been able to 
keep but one cow, will be enabled to keep 
two or three, if he will apply h'imfelf to the 
cultivation of the fame root. 



§ XXII. Fariher 



( 42 ) 



§ XXII. 

Farther Advantages refulting from the Cultiva- 
tion of the Root of Scarcity. 

Befides the advantages which I have already 
enumerated, the Root of Scarcity alfo pof- 
ferles many others ; and I fhall here particu- 
larly mention the certainty of an abundant 
crop, however intemperate may be the fea- 
fons. 

If this Root be cultivated, it will not be 
neceffary that cattle fhould pafture in the 
meadows, and eat the produce of them, du- 
ring the fummer ; but all the grafs, which the 
meadows produce, may then be converted 
into hay. How much, indeed, may they 
not fell of it, fince, even during the winter, 
they may atleaft fave two-thirds of it ? And, 
in Ihort, as the Root of Scarcity will render 
it eafy to feed beafts in the ftable during the 
whole year., this circumftance will alfo 

greatly 



( 43 ) 

greatly increafe the quantity of dung, which 
is fo neceflary in agriculture. 

In confequence of thefe advantages^ forage 
may always be kept at a moderate price ; for 
this root yields a much greater produce than 
other kinds of forage, and furpaffes them 
even in thofe years in which they are the 
mod favourable. When this root is be- 
come fufficiently known, cultivators will un- 
doubtedly prefer it to all the other kinds of 
forage. 

The numerous experiments that I have 
made, efpecially in the year 1785, relative to 
the culture, the produce, and the ufe of the 
Root of Scarcity, have convinced me, that 
it deferves to obtain a decided preference 
over all other roots, and even over turnips. 
Whether I am partial, or enthufiaftick in my 
attachment to it, may be determined by con- 
fidering the reafons which I am now about 
to enumerate. 



§ XXIII. 



( 44 ) 



§ XXIII. 

Recapitulation. 

li This kind of Root may be eaten by 
men during the whole year : it is agreeable 
and wholefome, and does not caufe flatulen- 
cies, as turnips do. 

2. As the Root of Scarcity is not attack- 
ed by the caterpillar, or by any other infect, 
its fuccefs is certain every where : it fufFers 
nothing from the viciflitude of the feafons. 
Neither our own turnips, nor thofe of Eng- 
land, poffefs thefe advantages. 

3. The leaves of the Root of Scarcity 
afford an excellent food for all kinds of cattle, 
during four months in the year ; whilfl tur- 
nips produce- leaves only once a year, and 
even then are tough, and injured by infects. 

4. The Root of Scarcity may be well pre- 
ferved during eight months in the year, and 

are 



( 45 ) 

are not fun] eft to become rotten, as is the cafe 
with turnips ; which, from the end of the 
month of March, become (tringy, tough, and 
fpungy. 

5. There is no kind of turnips which ever 
fucceeds perfectly ; they often fail entirely, 
efpecially in hard lands ; they require a light, 
good, and fandy foil ; but the Root of Scarci- 
ty will fucceed every where ; the cultivators 
of different kinds of lands may be equally 
allured of fuccefs and farmers and labourers 
may be greatly benefitted by this refpurce. 

6. The milk produced by cows who have 
been nourimed for fome days together with 
turnips, contracts a tafte like tallow, or flrong, 
four, and difagreeable ; but thofe, who are 
fed with the Root of Scarcity, produce both 
milk and butter of an excellent quality. $ 

After this parallel, which Lhave made with 
an exact regard to truth, and which will un- 
doubtedly be verified by all thofe for whom 
I have procured the feed of the Root of 
Scarcity, it will no more, I hope, be con- 
founded 



(46 ) 

founded with turnips ; not even with that 
large fpecies of them, which has been long 
known and cultivated in Germany, but 
which now is generally neglecled, on ac- 
count of the inconveniencies that I have 
pointed out. 

This excellent forage will afford fubfiftence 
to all kinds of cattle, and efpecially at that 
time when grafs, fo ufeful and neceffary to 
cattle, is yet fcarce i andjt will be feen, by 
their vigour and their fleeknefs, how much it 
has contributed to their health. 

The Root of Scarcity is never difliked by 
cattle ; they eat it always with the fame 
avidity, and the fame pleafure - 3 and they 
have nothings fear from thofe unhappy ac- 
cidents, which fometimes refult from the 
ufe of turnips. How much is it to be wilhed 
that thefe united advantages, which are found- 
ed upon conflant experience, may deftroy that 
diftruft, and thofe prejudices, which this new 
Root may, perhaps, at firfi infpire among 
the French for it is only in fome provinces 
of Germany, in which it is cultivated with 

the- 



( 47 ) 

the greateft fuccefs, that the preference is 
given to it over every other kind of fodder, 
and in which it is employed for fattening the 
greater part of thofe herds of cattle, which 
are every year brought for fale into this 
kingdom. 

I fhall efteem myfelf happy, if the truths 
which I have ftated fhould encourage the 
cultivation of a root, which may increafe the 
riches of the ftate, and contribute to the eafe, 
and to the happinefs of the people. 



r 



§ XXIV. 

Opthe Manner of bringing tip Calves, by wean- 
ing them at twelve Days old. 

The fcarcity of fodder having obliged far- 
mers to kill many cows, and having hindered 
them, for two or three years, from bringing 
up the number of calves that-they have ge- 
nerally been ufed to do, the price of pro- 
vifions, of butter, and of milk, has been in- 
creafed in fuch a manner as was. never before 

known. 



( 43 ) 

known. In order to flop the progrefs of this 
advance in the price of provifions, which 
feems as if it would 'become (till more con- 
fiderable, it is necefTary to encourage country 
farmers to apply themfelves Hill more than 
ever to the breeding of horned cattle ; the 
Root of Scarcity will furnifh them with the 
means, and will deftroy the pretext com- 
monly employed by farmers, that they can- 
not deprive themfelves of the milk of their 
cows, which is fo ntcefiary for their own 
fubfiftence, and that of their families. By 
making ufe of the Root of Scarcity, they 
may, with a little care and trouble, wean, at 
ten or twelve days old, thofe calves that they 
are defirous to rear. 

From the third day, it is necefTary, once 
a day, to give to calves newly calved a 
little milk lukewarm, in a wooden bowl 5 
whether they drink it, or not, is of little 
confequence it will be fuflicient, if they 
moiften their lips with it. They will drink it 
willingly when they are eight or ten days old; 
and from that time they fliould no more be 
fuffered to approach their dam : they fhould 

then 



( 49 ) 

then give them to drink, morning and even- 
ing, during three or four days, milk from 
the cow \ and at noon, inftead of milk, fome 
warm water, in which a little flour is mixt, 
mould be given them. From the time 
they are twelve days old, no more milk un- 
mixt mould be given them, either morning 
or evening; but only water, lukewarm, mix- 
ed with flour and a little milk : this regimen 
fhould be continued during four or five days, 
after which they fhould be fed in the manner 
following. 

From the fourth day, a little bran, in the 
palm of the hand, mould be offered from 
time to time to the calf ; when it begins to 
lick the bran, a fmall quantity of it fliould 
be laid before him, and a handful of hay; 
and this mould be continued till the twelfth 
day, the time in which he will have learn- 
ed to eat. It is neceffary to take care, 
that the place in which this food is put 
fhould be very clean, and that it be fwept 
every time frefh food is given. After the 
expiration of twelve days, there fhould be 
given him, every day, three times a day, 
E leaves 



( So ) 

leaves of the Root of Scarcity, cut fmall, and 
mixed. with one third hay; and twice a* day 
he mould have clean water given him to 
drink. If it be winter, the root itfelf will 
fupply the place of the leaves. When the 
calf is four or five weeks old, the bran may 
be omitted, and it may be fed with ftraw and 
hay cut fmall, and mixed in equal quantities 
with the roots or with the leaves. It will be 
neceffary every time to take away all that the 
calf mall have left, and to give him his pro- 
vifion quite frefh, that he may not be dif- 
gufted with it. The calves, who are brought 
up in this manner, will graze when they are 
fix weeks old, and will fucceed very well, as 
I have proved by experience. 

§ XXV. 

Of the Culture of Carrots, in thofe Fields in 
which Barley has been /own. 

To the preceding obfervations concerning 
the Root of Scarcity, I think it alfo proper 
to add thofe that I have made relative to 

fome 



( 5i ) 

fome other objects of agriculture, little known, 
or little practifed, in Lorrain, and in the 
bifhopricks ; and which may, notwithftand- 
ing, be ufeful to the inhabitants of the coun- 
try, in good as well as in bad years. 

In all good lands, but efpecially light and a 
little moift, which are defigned for the produc- 
tion of barley, a double crop may always be 
obtained. When the barley is fown, and bu- 
ried under-ground by the plough, or by the 
harrow, the feeds of carrots may be lightly 
ftrown over the field, and the roller may be 
paffed twice over it, which will be fufficient 
to bury the feed under-ground. As the bar- 
ley will not hinder the carrots from thriving, 
a rich crop may be gathered in the month 
of November. If there is time to clear and 
to weed the carrots, they will be the finer* 
No one can be ignorant, that carrots are an 
excellent food both for men and for beafts. 
Many perfons are accuftomed to cut the leaves 
of carrots at different times ; but I have ob- 
ferved, that this operation hardens them, and 
tends to impede their vegetation. 



E i § XXVI, Of 



( 5* ) 



§ XXVI. 

Of the Culture of Spurrey y and its Advantages. 

The Jperguldy or fpurrey, is a plant which 
may be made ufe of in the year in which it is 
fown, and which re-produces itfelf by its 
feed, and not by its root. The cultivation 
and the ufe of this root are fo totally un- 
known in this province, that even its name 
is hardly known. This kind of fodder is, 
however, extremely advantageous, and is 
fo productive and fo quick in its growth, 
that it may aim oil be procured in the mo- 
ment of need ; and in light lands, neither 
plough nor horfes are requifite for its culti- 
vation. After the crop of corn, may be 
fown four or five pounds of this feed upon 
the ftubble in an arpent * of land and the 
earth muft be fwept three or four times with 
a bundle of thorns. In about five or fix 
weeks, there will be found in this field an 
abundant pafture for horfes, oxen, cqws, 
and Iheep. The cows which are fed with 

* An arpent is a meafure of land, containing 100 
perches fquare, of 10 feet each. 

this 



( 53 ) 

this fodder, give a great abundance of milk 
of the very belt fort ; and the butter that 
they produce is the beft that can be for keep- 
ing. In Brabant and in Holland, where this 
kind of fodder is the moft cultivated, the 
butter that is produced by the cows which, 
are fed with it, is fo much efteemed for 
its goodnefs and its firmnefs, that thofe 
vefifels, which are intended for long voyages, 
are particularly provided with its and it goes 
by the name of fpurrey butter. 

When they take the advantage of a day of 
rain in order to fow the fpurrey feed, it fprings 
up from the fourth day. In hard lands, it is ne- 
cefTary, before fowing the feed, to pafs an iron 
harrow over the ftubble ; and, after the feed 
has been fown, to make ufe of a bundle of 
thorns. The feed of this forage may be pro- 
cured from the com-fa&ors, or may be fent 
for from Antwerp. 

In order to naturalize fpurrey in our coun- 
try, it is neceifary to fow it in the month of 
April, and to reap it in the month of Auguft. 
The hay that it produces, although of a dis- 
agreeable fmell and colour, is eaten with avi- 
dity 



( 54 ) 

dity by horfes, oxen, cows, and flieep. They 
prefer it even to the beft hay, and it is ex- 
tremely nourifhing. All poultry, and efpe- 
cially pigeons, will eat this kind of feed, in 
preference to any other. 

§ XXVII. 

A Method of procuring a Supply, in cafe of a 
Scarcity of Hay. 

It appears from experience, that when the 
months of April or May are dry, and there 
is much violent wind, the harveft of hay is 
far from being abundant. In order to pro- 
cure, at fuch times, a fupply of fodder, it is 
requifite that prudent and vigilant farmers 
fhould then cultivate a part of their fallow 
lands \ and they fhould fow rice, barley, and 
oats, mixed with vetches and lentiles. At 
the beginning of Auguft, when the rice be- 
gins to grow to an ear, they mow and make 
hay of the ftalks of thefe plants, and thereby 
fupply the deficiency of hay from the mea- 
dows; and the fields which have produced 
this hay will again furnifli the fame kind of 
pafture. This feed-time may be the better 

attended 



( 55 ) 

attended to by hufbandmen, as their principal 
labours will then be fufpended. 

§ XXVI1L 

A new Methoi of making Hay, from the Produce 
of artificial Meadows. 

In this province they are 'happily in the 
cuftom of fowing much trefoil, lucerne, fain- 
foin, &c. but as few perfons are acquainted 
with the proper method of reducing thefe 
plants into dry fodder, almoft every body 
deftroys the leaves and the flowers, which are 
the beft part, and leave only the ftalks. I 
mail, therefore, point out the manner of 
avoiding thefe inconveniencies. 

It is neceflary that ftakes mould be pro- 
vided of eight or nine feet in length, about 
the thickncfs of a man's arm ; the quality of 
the wood is indifferent. In thefe upright 
ftakes, holes mould be pierced on all fides, 
fifteen inches one from the other and through 
thefe holes flicks mould be put of an inch 
and a half in diameter, and about four feet 

in length. Thefe ftakes mould be driven 

into 



(' 56 ■ ) 

into the earth, at equal diftanqes, in. the 
field which they are about to mow. They, 
are not unlike the perches that are made for 
parrots, or for turkies. 

The grafs fhould be mowed when it is in 
full flow r er, and taken up by armfuls, as 
it falls under, the fcythe, and laid upon 
thefe flakes and twigs. There it fhould be 
left without being turned or touched, till it 
is quite dry, and then it may be removed 
into the hay-loft; and by this method nei- 
ther the feeds nor the leaves of the plants 
will be loft. Bad weather will not hurt hay 
which has been thus managed ; rain will not 
continue upon it, and the air will dry it more 
readily and more equally than upon the earth. 
Sputrey, which is a very thick grafs, may be 
made into dry fodder in the fame manner. 
The crop of hay being gathered in, the flakes 
may be taken out of the ground \ and, if pre- 
ferved with care, they may be ufed for the 
fame purpofe many years fuccefllvely. 



FINIS 



lift 



